The Seven Hills Of Rome

by Heiken, Grant

• ISBN13: 9780691069951
• ISBN10: 0691069956
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2005-07-05
• Publisher: Princeton Univ Pr

Summary

From humble beginnings, Rome became perhaps the greatest intercontinental power in the world. Why did this historic city become so much more influential than its neighbor, nearby Latium, which was peopled by more or less the same stock? Over the years, historians, political analysts, and sociologists have discussed this questionad infinitum, without considering one underlying factor that led to the rise of Rome--the geology now hidden by the modern city. This book demonstrates the important link between the history of Rome and its geologic setting in a lively, fact-filled narrative sure to interest geology and history buffs and travelers alike. The authors point out that Rome possessed many geographic advantages over surrounding areas: proximity to a major river with access to the sea, plateaus for protection, nearby sources of building materials, and most significantly, clean drinking water from springs in the Apennines. Even the resiliency of Rome's architecture and the stability of life on its hills are underscored by the city's geologic framework. If carried along with a good city map, this book will expand the understanding of travelers who explore the eternal city's streets. Chapters are arranged geographically, based on each of the seven hills, the Tiber floodplain, ancient creeks that dissected the plateau, and ridges that rise above the right bank. As an added bonus, the last chapter consists of three field trips around the center of Rome, which can be enjoyed on foot or by using public transportation.

Author Biography

Donatella De Rita is Professor of Field Geology and the Geology of Volcanic Areas at the University of Roma Tre.

Table of Contents

Foreword, by Walter Veltroni	vii
Preface	ix
CHAPTER 1 A Tourist's Introduction to the Geology of Rome	1	(26)
Timelines	18	(9)
CHAPTER 2 Center of the Western World
The Capitoline (Campidoglio) Hill	27	(10)
CHAPTER 3 Palaces and Gardens
The Palatine (Palatino) Hill	37	(14)
CHAPTER 4 The Aventine (Aventino) Hill	51	(8)
CHAPTER 5 The Tiber Floodplain, Commerce, and Tragedy	59	(26)
CHAPTER 6 The Tiber's Tributaries in Rome
Clogged with Humankind's Debris	85	(25)
CHAPTER 7 The Western Heights
Janiculum, Vatican, and Monte Mario	110	(13)
CHAPTER 8 The Celian (Celio) Hill	123	(30)
CHAPTER 9 Largest of the Seven Hills
The Esquiline (Esquilino)	153	(9)
CHAPTER 10 Upper Class
The Viminal (Viminale) and Quirinal (Quirinale) Hills	162	(12)
CHAPTER 11 Field Trips in and around Rome	174	(55)
The Seven Hills of Rome in Fifteen Stops	174	(21)
Panoramas, Piazzas, and Plateaus	195	(21)
A Field Trip to Rome, the City of Water	216	(13)
Acknowledgments	229	(2)
Further Reading	231	(6)
Index	237